University of Georgia Athletics
Photo by: Conor Dillon/UGAAA
Jackson Named Finalist for Baseball America College Player of the Year
May 27, 2026 | Baseball
ATHENS-----University of Georgia junior catcher Daniel Jackson has been named a finalist for the 2026 Baseball America College Player of the Year, the publication announced Wednesday.
Jackson, a 6-2, 200-pound native of Sandy Springs, Ga., is one of just six players (and first catcher) in NCAA Division 1 history to have at least 25 home runs and 25 stolen bases in a season. He is the first SEC player to ever have a 25-25 season. Currently, Jackson is batting .391 with 27 home runs, 79 RBI and 25 stolen bases. He ranks in the top five nationally in five offensive categories.
Jackson is one of five finalists for the Baseball America award along with UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky, Louisville first baseman Tague Davis, Arizona State outfielder Landon Hairston and Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey. Baseball America indicated production was the primary factor to be a finalist along with prospect status, feedback from professional evaluators throughout the year and level of competition. The winners of all their awards will be announced on June 11. This marks the 46th year of Baseball America's College Player of the Year Award, 10th overall and second year since reinstatement in 2025 of the BA College Pitcher of the Year and the 45th season for BA College Freshman of the Year.
Additionally, Jackson is a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award, the Dick Howser Trophy and the Buster Posey Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award. The past Sunday, Jackson, a first team All-SEC selection, was named Most Valuable Player of the SEC Tournament as the Bulldogs claimed the school's first-ever SEC tournament title. He was instrumental in Georgia capturing the SEC regular season title, its first since 2008.
Georgia (46-12) is the number three national seed and plays host to the NCAA Athens Regional beginning Friday at Foley Field. The Bulldogs open with LIU at 7:06 p.m. (SEC Network). The opening game of the regional features Boston College against Liberty at 2:06 p.m. (ESPN+).
FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS: For the latest Georgia baseball news, visit www.georgiadogs.com and follow the Bulldogs on X (@BaseballUGA), Facebook (@GeorgiaBaseball) and Instagram (@baseballuga).
Jackson, a 6-2, 200-pound native of Sandy Springs, Ga., is one of just six players (and first catcher) in NCAA Division 1 history to have at least 25 home runs and 25 stolen bases in a season. He is the first SEC player to ever have a 25-25 season. Currently, Jackson is batting .391 with 27 home runs, 79 RBI and 25 stolen bases. He ranks in the top five nationally in five offensive categories.
Jackson is one of five finalists for the Baseball America award along with UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky, Louisville first baseman Tague Davis, Arizona State outfielder Landon Hairston and Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey. Baseball America indicated production was the primary factor to be a finalist along with prospect status, feedback from professional evaluators throughout the year and level of competition. The winners of all their awards will be announced on June 11. This marks the 46th year of Baseball America's College Player of the Year Award, 10th overall and second year since reinstatement in 2025 of the BA College Pitcher of the Year and the 45th season for BA College Freshman of the Year.
Additionally, Jackson is a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award, the Dick Howser Trophy and the Buster Posey Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award. The past Sunday, Jackson, a first team All-SEC selection, was named Most Valuable Player of the SEC Tournament as the Bulldogs claimed the school's first-ever SEC tournament title. He was instrumental in Georgia capturing the SEC regular season title, its first since 2008.
Georgia (46-12) is the number three national seed and plays host to the NCAA Athens Regional beginning Friday at Foley Field. The Bulldogs open with LIU at 7:06 p.m. (SEC Network). The opening game of the regional features Boston College against Liberty at 2:06 p.m. (ESPN+).
FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS: For the latest Georgia baseball news, visit www.georgiadogs.com and follow the Bulldogs on X (@BaseballUGA), Facebook (@GeorgiaBaseball) and Instagram (@baseballuga).
Players Mentioned
C/OF
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